Inuvik (Feb 20/04) - Inuvik Curling Club president Don Craik was in court last Thursday to fight a smoking bylaw infraction the club received in December.

However, due to an error made on the summons, the ticket was thrown out on a technicality.

"It was more the principle than the money," he said following the decision.

Craik had appeared before Inuvik Town Council three weeks earlier to ask that the town amend the no-smoking bylaw to allow smoking at the curling club until the end of its season.

He estimates that the club will lose nearly $25,000 in revenue because of the bylaw.

At last Wednesday's council meeting, the administration committee decided not to recommend council revisit the bylaw.

Craik had hoped that if the town amended the bylaw, the curling club would at least be able to recoup some of its loses before the Workers Compensation Board ban on smoking in the workplace takes effect in May.

"I was disappointed in council to say the least," said Craik. "I know we'll all be on the same playing field next year, but people are creatures of habit and it's going to take most of next season to work at getting people back in the lounge."

The bulk of the Inuvik Curling Club's operating costs are paid for by its lounge revenue.